Home Euthanasia Information

 Most diseases will not take your pet’s life quickly, but cause prolonged pain and suffering. For example, pets commonly suffer from arthritis and kidney disease, which can lead to a long, painful end-of-life process. When appropriate, euthanasia can help your pet pass comfortably before they suffer too much from a terminal disease. It’s important to remember that each disease process must be handled differently. Please speak with your family veterinarian or Dr. Mesa.

Saying goodbye to your pet at home has a number of benefits for you and your pet, including:

• The ability to schedule your pet’s appointment at a time convenient for everyone, including after normal hospital hours, and on short notice
• Allowing your pet to be in their own surroundings, where they are relaxed and less anxious
• Allowing your pet to be in their favorite location, with familiar smells
• Less stress for pets who are difficult to move
• The presence of other household pets, which can allow faster healing after the loss of their friend
• Allowing more family members to be present than in a small veterinary office
• The ability to bury your pet, if desired, without difficult transportation issues
• The ability to grieve for your pet in peace

 A euthanasia appointment typically lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. The first injection of a heavy sedative will help your pet relax and become comfortable. The final injection is fast-acting, and takes effect in 30 to 60 seconds. After the procedure, the veterinarian will make an impression of your pet’s paw, and step out to give you time alone with your pet. If you elect for aftercare, the veterinarian will take your pet and arrange for their cremation. 

 The decision to bury a pet or elect for cremation services is very personal. We suggest talking with family members before making any final decisions on aftercare. It is also important to consider if burying a pet is legal in your area. Burning a pet in the back yard can present some health risks to the water table and every city has different laws regarding the legality of pet burial. Please check your local zoning laws regarding whether or not you can bury your pet in your backyard. If you are considering cremation, it is important to note that aquamation is more ecologically friendly than any other process. Toxic or greenhouse gasses from fire-based cremation are not produced during aquamation. Also, this procedure gives you back 20% more ashes if you are looking forward to it. 

• A discussion about your concerns, thoughts, or questions surrounding in-home euthanasia.
• Sedation to ease discomfort; you deserve your final memory of your pet to be calm and comfortable. This injection of pain medication and sedatives will allow your pet to drift off to a peaceful sleep before the final injection is administered.
• Sedation assessment, to ensure your pet is sleeping deeply and no longer responds to stimulation.
• Euthanasia, the final gift.
• Memorial keepsakes to help mend the broken heart: a clay paw print and a lock of fur, if desired.
• Transportation for cremation, if selected
• Hand Delivering your pets remains and keepsakes.
• We treat every pet as if it were our own.